98 A FEW OBSERVATIONS ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF PLANTS. 



to see double-flowered kinds, which will he pleasingly admitted to 

 obviate the last-named consideration. 



A very excellent plan to adopt in the cultivation of this plant is to 

 turn out the old plants (after undergoing a thorough cleansing pro- 

 cess) into a raised bed, in the month of June. The bed should be 

 composed of one-half leaf-soil, or other vegetable matter, with sharp 

 sand ; and if soiled up pretty close to the stem, abundance of fine 

 young plants will be ready for pots by the early part of August : they 

 should then be taken up, shaken entirely apart, and the plants singled 

 out for general potting. The soil should be equal parts leaf-mould» 

 peat, old cow-dung, charcoal, or wood-ashes, strong loam, and sharp 

 sand ; remembering in all these matters to drain the pots completely. 



Nothing is then necessary but to place them all behind a wall, on 

 the north side, immediately they are potted, and to sprinkle them 

 well. About the middle of September they will require their final 

 shifting into larger pots, using the same kind of soil in a rougher 

 state. The plants may then be placed in a cold pit, near the glass, 

 as they like abundance of light ; they should be watered moderately, 

 and removed to the greenhouse when required for bloom. 



The following twelve varieties are amongst the best in present cul- 

 tivation, and may now be procured at reasonable prices at most of the 

 nurseries. 



Attraction (Henderson) 

 Beauty of Cyston (Ivery) 



• Wenham (Ivery) 



Criterion (Ivery) 

 Eclipse (Henderson) 

 Emperor of Russia (Ivery) 



Nobilis (Ivery) 

 Nosegay (Ivery) 

 Princess Royal (Piper) 

 Regulator (Henderson) 

 Wee Pet (Ivery) 



ARTICLE II. 



A FEW OBSERVATIONS ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF PLANTS. 



BY M. 



In the vegetable creation consist the principal ornaments of the earth, 

 and from them are derived the chief support for man and beast. To 

 the traveller in warm countries the trees afford a grateful and necessary 

 shade, and in cold climates they give shelter and protection. To the 

 medical man plants yield properties of the utmost importance in alle- 



